A ‘Riehl’ Mover With Ag’s Message

When I first met Mark Riehl of Mycogen Seeds at a Dow AgroSciences media event a few years ago, I noticed he was very comfortable talking in front of a group. Now I know why.

Riehl has been visiting schools and sharing 25 years of industry experience with the young students as part of the CropLife Ambassador Network (CAN). And this year, he’s been named the Ambassador of the Year, and is our “Two Minutes With…” expert in the November issue of CropLife magazine (see “Around Agriculture,” page 7).

“His willingness to go above and beyond our expectations earned him this honor,” explained Janet Braun, CAN program coordinator. “In the past he has visited schools in three different states and was willing to help out even with just moving to Michigan and buried under moving boxes.”

Did you catch that part about visiting schools in three different states? I’ve been an Ambassador for more than 10 years, and I’ve only visited schools and organizations in two counties. Does Riehl set the bar high enough for the 2009 recipient?

Currently an agronomist with Mycogen Seeds in Onondaga, MI, he has been an ambassador with CAN since 2005.

“I’m an ambassador because it is evident through interaction with my children’s friends that our youth have little understanding of from where their food comes,” he explains. “During my classroom visits, I show them new products that can be made from corn such as plastic replacements and blankets. I like to involve the students by getting them to ask questions and using math to calculate food costs.”

Be sure to read your November issue of CropLife magazine to learn why Riehl is such a firm believer in CAN, and the benefits all ag retailers and industry representatives can gain from talkin’ ag in the schools. Even in you only visit one school system, and I’m sure I speak for Mark as well, we hope you’re inspired visit ambassador.maca.org and begin sharing your industry’s story.

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